Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance & Training

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance and Training is a key member of the leadership team within this Office of Student Finance. This individual is responsible for federal, state, and institutional compliance within OSF and partners closely with other ASR offices to ensure training and materials are up to date. This position has administrative authority covering a broad scope of programs that will impact the institution if there is a failure to ensure that the institution complies. This position partners closely with the Director and the three Associate Directors within the Office of Student Finance on important projects such as audits, policies and procedures, implementation of new state or federal programs, and more. This position serves as a key member within Academic Support Resources in the development and implementation of trainings that are shared with all campuses within the University of Minnesota. This is an individual contributor role with no direct supervisory responsibilities. Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

Essential job functions

Management of compliance of federal, state, and institutional aid policies within OSF (40%)

• Guide staff within the Office of Student Finance with responsibility for compliance with all federal Title IV, state, and related institutional regulations and policies governing student aid.
• Provides oversight and guidance to all functional areas within the Office of Student Finance to ensure compliance with applicable polices and rules that govern federal and state aid administration.
• Monitor all new regulations and Department of Education regulatory guidance, and assess impact and application requirements for new regulations.
• Maintain a high level of expertise in the use of the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Student Aid Handbook, NASFAA tools and resources, and daily updates from various professional organizations.
• Review federal notices of proposed rulemaking and prepare official office responses to proposed rules.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures manual for the Office of Student Finance.
• Develop quality controls for functional areas to ensure compliance in respective functional areas. Work jointly with functional area leads to ensure proper documentation exists.

Development and Implementation of Training and Onboarding/Offboarding procedures within OSF (30%)

• Partner with ASR Central to develop and refine onboarding/offboarding procedures within the Office of Student Finance. Serve as officewide expert in onboarding/offboarding, allowing consultation when necessary for OSF supervisors to utilize expertise.
• Develop training modules to be used within the Office of Student Finance for cross-training opportunities.
• Work directly with Associate Directors of Student Finance and team leads to assess and implement on-going professional development opportunities for staff/unit meetings or individual use.
• Partner with One Stop Student Services financial aid trainer to ensure proper training of new staff members, as well as implementation of on-going training opportunities for Counselors.
• Consult with system financial aid directors on training modules for use in System Financial Aid Council meetings or on individual campuses.

Assist with all Audit Procedures and Data Requests within the Office of Student Finance (20%)

• Work jointly with the OSF leadership team to fulfill any requests for federal, state, or institutional audits.
• Maintain necessary access to federal, state, and institutional systems to provide requested student specific data in situations such as subpoenas, institutional data requests, This includes (but is not limited to) COD, NSLDS, NSC, PeopleSoft, Salesforce, Perceptive Content.
• Coordinate annual access audits for financial aid and student financials access within University data systems and affiliated outside servicers.
• Serve as point person for the Office of Student Finance in annual Academic Support Resources data security training, covering topics such as FERPA, GLBA, FTI, and other data security practices.

Outreach and Consultation (10%)

• Regularly consult with and advise the OSF leadership team on matters regarding compliance. Attend office leadership team meetings, system financial aid council, system student finance council, and other meetings utilizing a compliance and training lens to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Advise on appropriate solutions to resolve questions, complex situations, and errors needing correction within Academic Support Resources and the University of Minnesota at large.
• Regularly provide training and updates to the campus community on financial aid information.
• Work directly with the Director of Student Finance when liaisoning with federal or state educational agencies to determine response and opportunities for relationship refinement.
• Serve as liaison to University offices with questions or requests regarding financial aid. Assist the University in shaping financial aid policy and policy responses.
  

Required qualifications:

• BA/BS with at least six years of experience in financial aid or compliance in a University setting or a Masters degree plus at least four years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated increasing responsibilities in financial aid or other compliance related field.
• Ability to analyze and interpret federal and state regulations.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of student financial aid, University, and/or regulatory compliance.
• Ability to multitask and work collaboratively with others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• PeopleSoft experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service. The Office of Student Finance (OSF) manages the entire lifecycle of student finances for all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financial aid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination, and disbursement of financial aid as well as billing, accounts receivable, student loan entrance and exit interviews, and loan and account collections.

Pay Range: $71,000-$76,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).